Kember family make final plea

The family of British hostage Norman Kember have placed a number of newspaper adverts in Iraq, appealing for the release of the peace campaigner.

The 74-year-old, from Pinner, north-west London, was seized in Baghdad on November 26, with James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, both Canadians, and American Tom Fox, 54.

The families of the four men issued a joint appeal for their safe return which will be published in Arabic in Iraqi newspapers over the next few days.

The Swords of Righteousness Brigade, which has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings, had threatened to kill the group by December 10 unless Iraqi prisoners were released. There has been no news of the hostages since the deadline expired.

The appeal reads: "A month has passed since our loved ones - Norman, James, Harmeet and Tom - were kidnapped in Iraq. "In this time, Iraq has held elections for a constitutionally-elected Government. This is a new start for Iraq and Iraqis to take control of their own destiny. It is a time for new starts.

"Many clerics and religious figures from the Arab and Muslim world have spoken over the past weeks of the good work they were doing in Iraq and that their organisation has done in Palestine, and they have called for their release. We appeal to you to help us ensure the safe return of our relatives."